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Sometimes people have said that Islam, in its own…

“Sometimes people have said that Islam, in its own calendar, is still only in the Middle Ages. It's still in the fifteenth century or whatever. And Christianity in the fifteenth century, after all, was full of inquisitions and burnings at the stake, and so on and so on. So give Islam time, and it…” quote by Salman Rushdie
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“Sometimes people have said that Islam, in its own calendar, is still only in the Middle Ages. It's still in the fifteenth century or whatever. And Christianity in the fifteenth century, after all, was full of inquisitions and burnings at the stake, and so on and so on. So give Islam time, and it will reach the point of maturity that other religions have. But Mormonism is much younger than Islam, and it's got there already. So I don't think that's an argument that works.”

Salman Rushdie

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Comparing religions by historical era ignores unique development paths and cultural contexts.

In simple terms: Historical comparison oversimplifies faiths.

Key Takeaway

Assess each religion on its own terms.

Themes

religion history comparative analysis

Mood

critical analytical

Type

theoretical comparative

When to use this quote

  • academic debates
  • interfaith dialogues
  • media commentary

Key Concepts

cultural evolution theology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What criteria should we use to judge religious maturity?
  • How do modern media shape perceptions of faith?
A Different Perspective

Mormonism’s rapid growth may be due to modern factors, not age alone.

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